Massage in a Hospital Setting
INTEGRATION IN BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER By Ann Ahlers
One day during her palliative care fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Winnie Suen, MD, had an epiphany as she followed and observed a massage therapist on her rounds through the cancer clinic. Suen watched as the MT worked with a breast cancer patient. The patient's arm was swollen and tender from treatment, so the therapist gently massaged the limb. After only 10–15 minutes, the grateful patient told the therapist that her pain had decreased and her anxiety was melting away. The response to massage was much better and faster than the results produced by medication—and without side effects.
70 massage & bodywork july/august 2012
